PT SMI Helps Iban Dayak Weavers, Projected Revenue Increases by Over 50%

West Kalimantan, March 4, 2025 – PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (PT SMI) took the initiative to empower traditional weavers, which is an important step to preserve cultural traditions while improving the welfare of the weavers. Through the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program, PT SMI launched the Tenun.in Empowerment program for the Dayak Iban Tribe on Friday, February 14, 2025, in Manua Sadap Village, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan.

This program is projected to increase the income of weavers by 54%, from the original IDR 650 thousand per month to IDR 1 million per month. In addition, the production of woven fabrics has also increased by 50%, from the original only two fabrics per 2 months, to three fabrics per 2 months. In addition, with the support of website and online store creation, the marketing of woven fabric products will also be wider. This program is expected to increase the number of traditional weavers, after the increasing appeal of weaving as a promising source of income.

“In the long term, empowering traditional weavers will not only impact the local economy but also contribute to the preservation of culture and tradition. With the right support like what PT SMI does, weavers can become the driving force of a sustainable economy, creating jobs, and introducing Indonesian culture to the world. However, we want to ensure that this program is not just assistance, but also a real, sustainable step in building an independent and competitive weaving industry,” said Ramona Harimurti, Head of the Corporate Secretariat Division of PT SMI.

This program is the result of a collaboration between PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) and Insan Bumi Mandiri (IBM) in supporting local weaving artisans. IBM itself is a philanthropic institution that was established in 2016, and is engaged in empowering communities to develop the interior of Indonesia. Through the development of production centers, provision of weaving tools and threads, as well as a series of training and business mentoring, this initiative aims to improve the welfare of weavers while preserving the cultural heritage of the Dayak Iban weaving. Through this program, it is hoped that weaving can become the pride of everyday people's clothing, as well as answer the need for textiles in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Kapuas Hulu Regency government expressed their appreciation for the initiative taken by PT SMI. "We welcome with open arms the assistance provided by PT SMI in empowering our weavers. We hope that weaving will not only be part of traditional rituals, but can also be enjoyed by the younger generation as a cultural identity and source of livelihood. Hopefully this program can improve the family economy which will affect village economic growth," said Triwati, Assistant 2 to the Regent of Kapuas Hulu.

The collaboration between PT SMI and IBM is here as a solution to the various challenges faced by weavers. During the 12 months of this series of programs, weavers will receive skills training to improve the competitiveness of their products and gain wider market access. "We hope that weaving can be on par with batik and have a stable market, so that weavers can continue to work and contribute to preserving culture," said the head of the Dayak Iban weavers group, Margareta Mala.

In addition to providing economic impacts, this program also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the areas of poverty alleviation, gender equality, decent work, climate action, and partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals. Previously, since 2017 PT SMI and IBM have been actively empowering weavers in East Nusa Tenggara, such as in the regions of Alor, Sumba, Ende, Belu, and Sikka. In addition to Kapuas Hulu, PT SMI and IBM this year also plan to expand the scope of the program to Ambon, Maluku.

PT SMI through the TJSL program plays an active role in efforts to improve the economic level of the community, while contributing to sustainable development. This year, PT SMI's TJSL program focuses on providing positive contributions in social and environmental aspects, with an emphasis on achieving the SDGs, handling climate change issues, clean energy transitions, and economic empowerment, by implementing the principles of Good Corporate Governance (GCG), and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (KGIS).

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About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”)

PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (“Persero”) (“PT SMI”), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Project Development and Advisory Services.

PT SMI has various functions and unique products / features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme, involving various financial institutions both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products.

For further information, please contact:

Ramona Harimurti
Head of Corporate Secretary Division
PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero)
Tel : +6221 8082 5288
Fax : +6221 8082 5258
Email: corsec@ptsmi.co.id
www.ptsmi.co.id